FRANCES GRACE LOWE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FRANCES GRACE LOWE August 10, 1916 - December 7, 2017 At age 101, Frances passed away December 7, 2017, at her home in River Park Gardens. Frances was predeceased by her parents Robert Franklin Lowe and Grace Elizabeth Lowe; her brother Robert and sister-in-law Jaunty; her sister Helen and brother-in-law Archie Gray; niece Joan (Gray); nephew Tony Proudfoot; and her longtime friend and companion John Whitecross. Frances is survived by her sister Janet Proudfoot; nephews James (Carol) Gray, Gordon (Sharon) Gray, Bruce (Beverley) Gray, Robert (Annette) Lowe, Richard Lowe, Donald (Erica) Proudfoot, Charles (Marsha) Proudfoot; and nieces Diana (Dan) Stephens, Jackie (Harold) Harrison, Patti (Rick) Morgan, Jane (Paul) Hoba and their extended families. Frances was born in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, on August 10, 1916. She attended Somerset School, Linwood School (Deere Lodge area), Rupertsland Ladies College and Normal School (Teacher's College). She furthered her education through many evening and university classes at United College and University of Manitoba and earned a BA and a B.ED. Frances took a leave of absence (1942 to 1945) to serve with RCAF (WD's) in Ottawa and was posted to Eastern Air Command in Halifax and later in Newfoundland. She returned in the summer of 1945 to teach school for part of a year and then resumed her education through the Veteran's University program. Frances loved books and learning. She was invited to take a special university course in Chicago which was designed to teach children's enrichment programs. She excelled in this area of teaching. She was credited with being a leader within the Winnipeg School Division teaching students to excel in the performing arts and music. She was an innovator of "school trips" outside the city to explore nature and the history sites of Manitoba. She was ahead of her time in teaching enrichment programs for children. She retired from the Winnipeg School Division in 1981. She loved all outdoor activities, having an early exposure to skiing (Puffin Ski Club), skating and canoeing (Winnipeg Canoe Club) and curling (Fort Rouge Curling Club). After her retirement, Frances assisted in organizing and developing the Stonewall Lawn Bowling Club and competed in many tournaments around the province. She enjoyed exploring new places and countries with extensive travels throughout Canada, British Isles, Scandinavia, Bahamas and Mexico. In her retirement years, Fran lived in the family home at Stonewall where her flower gardens were always in show home condition. She loved the outdoors and travelled the countryside extensively with her friend John Whitecross. In the summer and fall they enjoyed watching the colours change and the wild birds making their annual migration trips. She took pictures of the many different flowers and wildlife in the Interlake and won awards for her photos at the annual Rockwood Agricultural Society Fair. In later years Frances moved to a retirement community at Sturgeon Creek #1 where she resided until 2013. She was active in this community and loved the costume and door decorating contests which she would win on occasion. As her health needs required, Fran relocated to River Park Gardens where she enjoyed her remaining years. In both "homes" Frances was an active participant in all planned activities. Her family extends their gratitude to both homes for the sincere, caring and professional manner in which they assisted Frances in her final years. The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to Fran's "special angel" Kareen who was her companion during her final two years of life at River Park Gardens. A service will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 11, at Stonewall Anglican Church of The Ascension, 291 2nd Street West, Stonewall. Interment will be held in the spring/summer 2018 at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, you might donate to The Winnipeg Foundation, Salvation Army, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, Canadian Red Cross Society or The Friends of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory Inc., some of her favourite charities. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2017